MASKED LAPWING Vanellus miles

Originally confined to Australia, where it is a common and widespread species, this bird has naturally colonised New Zealand, where it is now also
common, and more recently New Guinea.
Two subspecies occur, readily distinguishable in the field, which were at one time treated as two species. The southern race is the NZ
coloniser, the right hand photo being taken there, the other being two Northern race birds near Cairns.
Confusion is caused by the local name of Spur-winged Plover.